If there’s one thing I’ve learned about myself lately, it’s that I have no patience for complicated recipes or crafts. That’s why most of the recipes on my blog feature few ingredients or prep time and it’s why my cocktails can be easily replicated. No fuss, no mess, just sweet sips and simple fun. As for DIY, I prefer to not wait overnight for something to be ready or something that requires me to set aside time to craft in shifts. I like things that are unique, fun, and fast! So, when I received a kit from Plaid Crafts full of Mod Podge Collage Clay, I was a little intimidated. My fears slipped away when I realized that this was a project that not only I could do, but it was something that didn’t take a lot of time. Oh, and there was glitter, bright colors, and Florida seashells!
The shells came in the form of a mold where I could create embellishments that could be painted or left as is. I instantly knew I was going to take some of the shell souvenirs we have around our home and actually DO something with them. Since we live in Florida, we have established a bit of a shell collection. They’re fun to collect, but I never know where to put them afterward. If you’re planning a Florida vacation or another seaside trip, use your finds to decorate your home. I love aqua and coastal decor, so shells are a natural fit. Also, it’s totally okay to “borrow” some sand from the beach. I once had a friend fly to Hawaii and bring back a suitcase of sand. I have no idea whatever happened to it, but Hawaii said was so different than Florida sand that I actually wanted some for a vase!
I’d love to share some of my favorite Florida shells with you and inspire you to use Mod Podge to create your own vacation jar.
My entire kit came with mod molds to create embellishments using Mod Melts (it’s made of durable, easy to use silicone), drizzle paint to add extra drama and dimension to designs, and collage clay which is a lightweight whipped clay great to use for Decoden, 3D Collage, Assemblage Arts, 3D Stenciling and more. You can find all of these products at Michael’s.
For my memory jar DIY, I could have used every single item I received. Yet, I ended up just using the molds, the drizzle paint, and the mod melts. As for my own supplies, I used a high temp mini glue gun, my own jars, sand (totally got this from the nearby beach!), and shells we found on past adventures.
It was very simple to fill the molds with the mod melts. I used a mixture of glitter and opaque melts to create a variety of colors. I found that I preferred the blue and purple colors after a few rounds.
And, believe it or not, it wasn’t that messy. This picture is a bit misleading since my camera captured every grain of glitter, but it was so simple! They also dried in about ten minutes.
After those ten minutes, you just pop them out of the molds. Voila! These little guys had a little “extra” material that I just trimmed away with scissors (and promised myself to be more careful with the next batch).
Besides these little trinkets, I was going to mix in some of my own treasures that we found near the sea.
Florida shells
Lettered Olive
Shark Eye
Lightning Whelk
Those three are some of the most popular shells here in Florida. We have others, like the Florida Fighting Conch, junonia, and our state shell, the Horse Conch, that are all beautiful as well. If you ever find a junonia, consider yourself lucky! They’re a rare find and a true treasure.
I used two jars for this project. I wanted a tall, narrower look for decor. I also wanted a fun fish tank just for display as well.
I filled each container with Florida sand and added in a few of the pieces I made from the molds and the mold melts. I thought the nautical inspired embellishments looked great on their own, but you could add glitter, paint, or even some of the techniques that Plaid Crafts suggests.
Creating a vacation jar with sand, shells, and Mod Podge embellishments
The last step? Add an octopus to the lid! You can take this DIY one step further and embellish the outside of the jars. The idea is to “decoden” with these items. Decoden is the art of decorating anything with trinkets, and “the more the merrier” is the name of the game in designing an over the top look in this 3D collage technique. Use Collage Clay with Mod Melts, trinkets, buttons, rhinestones, and anything else you can think of!
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Krystal | Sunny Sweet Days
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Dionne Dean says
I WISH that I was this creative. I see beautiful pieces like this all the time on Pinterest. When I try to attempt to make them, it turns into a pillar of sand and broken glass LOL Great ideas!
Jaime says
I’m pinning this! We’re heading to the beach soon and I definitely want to collect seashells with my son. This is perfect!
aimee fauci says
THat’s cute and I like ‘simple’. I lose interest if the directions are too complicated! This is something my 9 yr old would love!
Lori says
That is such a great idea! What a cute way to hold on to the memories.
Amy Desrosiers says
Wow, this is really beautiful!! You did a great job! Everything looks so realistic!
Janel (A Mom's Take) says
What a super cute idea! I might try to make something like this after we get back from the vacation next month.
lawna says
This reminds me of something similar I did a couple months ago after visiting the beach. I made a decoration bowl though, and gathered everything from the beach including rocks, seashells, and sand.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
That is super adorable! I never would have thought to do something like that, but it’s so cute!
Amy Albers says
How cute! We are headed to the beach later this month and this could make a great rainy-afternoon craft to have on hand!
Scott says
I do love the frames done up that way! Probably too advanced for me, but I can enjoy them from afar!
Alli says
Really cute and simple! I’m a big believer in keeping things simple most of the time. I collect shells from every beach we visit. Last year when we visited St. Maarten, I found the tiniest, cutest shells and I have them in a blue mason jar with the sand in the bottom.
Krystal says
Awww! I’d love to see shells from St. Maarten! Sounds beautiful.
Rosey says
You get an A++ for being creative! I Love this post! And I’ve never seen Mod Podge before, but I’ve sure heard how great it is (and I believe it). Now I feel a little more in the know. ;)
Amber NElson says
Those are so adorable. I don’t have the patience to do any of these.
Mitch says
That vacation memory jar is beautiful! I love how you took us through all the steps in making it!
thanks,
Mitch
jeanae says
Great ideas! We have a beach trip coming up, and I was just considering souvenirs. Thanks for sharing!
Jennifer Williams says
I wish I had seen this when I was living in Florida. I have no idea when we will get back to the beach. I will have to see if I can find molds that will fit our hiking now.
Jennifer says
I didnt know it was so easy to work with modge podge. I see people using it all the time and always thought it was so complicated.
Lady Lilith says
That is such a clear idea. Thank you for sharing.
Kristin says
That turned out so cute K!
Amanda @ Growing Up Madison says
You did a really great job and like you I don’t have the patience for craft projects that take forever to do.
Theresa says
I agree. Crafts and recipes need to have a decent time limit for completion, or I lose interest. I have a bunch of half started projects in my craft room that I need to find the desire to start working on again because they are so tedious!
Annie says
What a cute idea! Something fun for kids & adults alike :)
Kay Adeola says
I love this,My kids collected so many shells the last time we were at the beach i have been wondering what to do with them.
Tracey says
You are so creative! This is beautiful! Pinning it!
Christina Shirley says
This is really cute. I love the bright color options of making your own! We already have plans to make a shadow box frame this year with some sand and shells with pictures from this year’s vacation.
Christie says
I love the way the memory jar came out! Modge Podge is amazing stuff!!
Debbie L. says
This is such a great idea….next trip I will have the kids collect items for a jar! Thanks for sharing!!
Marielle Altenor says
That’s a really fun and cute diy. Perfect way of saving the memories of a nice day at the beach!
Megan @ C'mon Get Crafty says
Very cute craft. I have seen those mod melts but haven’t tried them yet!
Melissa says
So beautiful. I need to do this for our next beach trip.
Elizabeth @ Food Ramblings says
I love these memories jars….what a great craft!
Melanie says
Wow those look really fun and cool! i bet this would make a great afternoon craft with my kids
celebbabylaundry says
What a cute idea! I love how it looks and that it’s very simple to make.
Chrystal @ YUM eating says
That just looks like way too much fun. I love those cute little molds!
Veronica says
What a cute project! I love the little molds. I am sure it is a lot of fun to put together
Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? says
What a fun way to save beach memories and have a visual reminder. OR a great way to fake it until you can get to a beach:)
Cassie @ Southeast by Midwest says
This sounds like a great idea! I didn’t even know they made Mod Melts!
Carly Bellard says
We do collect shells. I am a very picky shell collector though! Love the craft idea, super cute!
Krystal says
Woo hoo! One shell collector! Do you have a favorite that you’ve found?
Pam says
What a great craft idea. These are truly beautiful. I love those little molds and the colors really pop. I wish I was a bit more crafty. This is the motivation I need.
Debbie Denny says
A beautiful Idea, Fantastic way to keep a memory.
Angela S says
This is such a sweet way to bring a little bit off the beach home with you. Great job on this project!
Toni says
This is such a great idea. I live at the beach so I am going to have to try this craft with my daughter.
Tonia says
What a great way to preserve memories. You’re so crafty.
StacieinAtlanta says
That is a really neat craft. My kids would love to create with that clay.
Carly says
This is such a cute idea! Totally want to do something similar for our daughter’s first beach trip!
Candy @ Candypolooza says
Oooh this is so cool!! I need to find this! So much fun!
Mommy2jam says
THese are so darling. Love it and want to do this as well. YOu are so creative
Krystal says
Thank you! I never feel creative…I always feel like I’m rushing to get projects done. :) Luckily the Modpodge made it easy!
Danielle says
LOVE this idea!! We went to FL last year and brought home tons of shells and I *meant* to bring home sand too but I forgot. We did get sand though and put some shells in a jar for decoration… but this is prettier for sure! I also have a picture frame decorated with shells and we threw some into our fish tank too.
Krystal says
Hooray for FL! What part?
Brett Martin says
Wow, that looks like fun to make. Your results were awesome!
Kiwi says
ModPodge never cease to amaze me! This is so innovative and cute I love this vacation in a jar idea!!